Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Zaire
BoyAmerican (modern coinage), Portuguese· “river (former name of the Congo)”
- Meaning
- river (former name of the Congo)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- zy-EER
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #503
- US babies 2025
- 601
- Best rank
- #466 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Zaire
Zaire is an American (modern coinage) and Portuguese name that is usually said to mean “river (former name of the Congo)”.
Zaire comes from the name given to the Congo River by Portuguese explorers, adapted from a Kikongo word usually explained as the river that swallows all rivers. The name was later used for the country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a given name, Zaire is used mainly in the United States, where it has a bold, distinctive sound. It carries a sense of scale and power, echoing the great river. Pronunciations vary, with zy-EER and ZY-eer both heard.
Popularity over time
Zaire first appears in US Social Security records in 1974. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 26 different years, starting in 1999. Its best national rank was #466 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 655 babies. In 2025, 601 babies were named Zaire, and it ranked #503 nationally. That is 137% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #7,286 in 1980, #798 in 2000, #913 in 2010, and #503 in 2025. Of the 9,465 US boys named Zaire since records began, 38% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,876 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Alonzo, Jasiah, Cillian, Atreus, and Hezekiah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zaire ranked highest in Georgia, Mississippi, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | #222 | 56 |
| Mississippi | #238 | 14 |
| Connecticut | #325 | 10 |
| Massachusetts | #334 | 17 |
| Florida | #372 | 53 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Zaire over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Zaire is usually pronounced zy-EER, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with Z and ends in “-re”.
Middle names for Zaire
A few middle names that flow with Zaire: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zaire
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Lists that include Zaire
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zaire mean?
Zaire is an American (modern coinage) and Portuguese name that is usually said to mean “river (former name of the Congo)”.
What is the origin of the name Zaire?
Zaire has modern American and Portuguese roots. Zaire comes from the name given to the Congo River by Portuguese explorers, adapted from a Kikongo word usually explained as the river that swallows all rivers.
Is Zaire a popular name?
Yes. Zaire ranked #503 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Zaire a boy or girl name?
Zaire is mainly a boy's name. About 92% of US babies named Zaire over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Zaire?
Zaire is usually pronounced zy-EER. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings